I have not really got much to mention in the preamble this week, as I did not have to chase around after the kids, so on with the cricket.
I won the toss – the second time in a row, tails never fails – and we took to the field on a pitch that looked a belter from a distance, but turned out to be a typical Stone pitch. Even the spinners were bowling bouncers, same as last week really, with lots of uneven bounce and we are not getting the full benefit of that light roller yet.
Glenn & Slates bowled consistently, with the odd ball beating the bat or keeping low, but again anything short was dispatched for four on the lightning outfield, Unfortunately we did not learn from last week, and I fear the game was lost in the first twenty overs for us. Glenn came back for a second spell from the bottom end and took 3 for 1 in three overs finishing with 4 for 42 from 6.5 overs and Slates was very unlucky to finish with 0 for 29 off his eight overs – he deserved better. Jack ended wicketless from six overs for 37 including two big 6s – too short by half and I don’t mean him, his bowling that was. Geoff bowled eight very tight overs finishing with 2 for 39. Walkie Talkie bowled six good overs, taking 2 for 30, while Tom bowling a single over, taking 1 for 6. There was also a very good run out featuring Matt, Kelvin’s mate. We fielded quite well with only one or two misfields and possibly two dropped catches, although that is very harsh on Kelvin who was nearly decapitated at slip. On a personal note, there were only two byes conceded and a one-handed catch going the wrong way. Two of their guys reached 50s meaning they finished on 197 all out from 35 overs, probably about 40 runs too many.
There was a nice tea in the sunshine supplied by Mr & Mrs Goldenhair (thanks very much again to you both), with lots of home-made stuff (the apple & almond cake was a delight) and including beer, which a few players from both teams partook of.
The Appavoos went out to bat for the big chase. Krish was out for a duck, as was Walkie Talkie, but Kelvin and Jack then steadied the ship a little. Kelvin was out for 15, followed by Dan and Tom (both out for 2), meaning we soon found ourselves 55 for 5. I was out next for 10, edging one to the keeper, before Matt (Kelvin’s mate) went for 0, very unluckily caught on the long on boundary. Glenn and Slates steadied the ship once again and took us past the 100 mark. Slates was out for 27 and Geoff was last man out in the 39th over for his Stone top score of 7, which left Glenn stranded on 32* (a good day for him all the same). Stone were all out for 139 in the 39th over. On another day we could have won this game, but they did have some good youngsters, including a really decent spinner.
Returning to our wicket, I am not having a go at Justin or the new roller but, of all our wickets that fell, only Walkie Talkie was bowled – the rest of us were all caught off balls that were either very slow or had uneven bounce. We should know better.
Still, it was a decent chase and a good team effort from everyone.
All that was left was for most of us to go to the Lads – the away team didn’t join us.
– Dartsy